Container



Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a container designed primarily for the reception of cigarettes, but it is to be understood that it may be employed for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

As is well known, cigarettes are marketed in containers with the cigarettes arranged therein in two parallel pairs of superposed rows. The inner ends of the cigarettes of two superposed rows abut the inner ends of the cigarettes of the other pair of superposed rows. The container consists of a body part open throughout its top and closed by a hinged lid, the latter being of such form that when open exposes all of the cigarettes to the atmosphere resulting in a deleterious action on them, such by way of example, as drying. It is one of the objects of this invention to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a container for storing pairs of superposed rows of cigarettes and with the container so constructed and arranged for separating one pair of parallel rows of cigarettes from the other and for exposing to the atmosphere but one pair of superposed rows of cigarettes, when access is desired to the container to remove a cigarette or cigarettes therefrom thereby preventing any deleterious action upon the other pair of superposed rows.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a cigarette container including a body part formed with open top compartments for the storage of cigarettes, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to and extending transversely of said body part to provide a permanent closure for the inner end portions of the open tops of said compartments and a pair of oppositely extending match carrying elements connected to the carrier and forming selectively shiftable hinged closures for the remaining portions of the open tops of the compartments.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a cigarette container which may be supported stationary at any place desired, by way of example, flatwise in an upright position in front of the steering wheel of an automobile and with one of the match carrying elements inposition for exposing cigarettes, matches and match striking surface for instant use thereon, with minimum attention directed from driving. a

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a compartment cigarette container having the parts thereof so constructed and arranged to permit it to be expeditiously filled with cigarettes when desired.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a container which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, convenient when used, readily assembled, pleasing in appearance, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of such parts, and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

The container includes a pair of parallel separate compartments in which are stored the cigarettes. The latter may be positioned within each compartment with or without being packaged. If the cigarettes are packaged, the packs are positioned in the compartments. When the cigarettes are desired for use, one of the packs, is removed from a compartment, the wrapper removed therefrom and the unwrapped cigarettes then arranged in the compartment from which the pack was removed, and after they are used up, a like action is had in connection with the other pack. It is to be understood, however, that the cigarettes may be stored unwrapped or not packaged initially within the compartments. By way of example, one compartment is shown as having stored therein initially and completely filled by an unwrapped or unpackaged body of cigarettes, and the other compartment containing unwrapped or unpackaged cigarettes.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of the container within which is stored the cigarettes and with one of the match carrying elements in open position.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the container when closed.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View of the container on line 3--3 Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail in transverse section of the container showing the manner in which the 6 carrier for the match igniting surfaces is anchored stationary.

Figure 5 is a detail in top plan showing the carrier for the match igniting surfaces and with the latter omitted.

Referring to the drawing, the body part or portion of the container 1 is indicated at 2 and which is in the form of an open front or top rectangular receptacle of the desired depth and consisting of a bottom, a pair of side and a pair 1 of end walls. Fixedly mounted at the transverse .center of body part 2 and extending from one side wall to the other is a partition 3 having its inner edge abutting the bottom and its end edges abutting and its outer edge flush with the side walls of body part 2. The end walls of the latter are of less height than its side walls to facilitate removal of the contents of the container. The partition 3 provides body part 2 with a pair of parallel rectangular open top or front compartments 4, 5 for the storage of the cigarettes 6, 7 respectively.

Each side wall of body part 2 at its transverse center of its outer or top edge is formed with a bendable lug 8 for a purpose to be referred to.

The container includes a carrier 9 for a pair of spaced parallel oblong members 10, 11 formed to provide a pair of match igniting surfaces 12, 13 respectively. The carrier 9 consists of a rectangular plate 14 formed at each end with a depending or inwardly extending flange 15 and a centrally arranged transverse slot 16 in close proximity to the secured end 17 of each flange 15. The slots 16 are for the passage of the lugs 8. The carrier 9 is positioned at the transverse center of the open top or front of the body part 2 against the top or front edges of the side walls of the latter and is arranged over the inner end portions of the open top or front of compartments 4, 5 forming a permanent closure for said portions. The lugs 8 are bent upon the outer face of plate 14 whereby the carrier 9 is anchored to body part 2.

Pivotaliy connected to the flange 15 are a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements 18, 19 providing selectively movable hinged closures for the remaining portions of the open top or front of the compartments 4, 5. Each of said elements consists of a rectangular body 20 formed with a rim 21 at its sides and outer end and a pair of apertured extensions 22 projecting inwardly from the inner ends of the side parts of rim 21. The extensions 22 of one element are arranged against one end of and those of the other element against the other end of flanges 15. The extensions 22 are pivotally connected at their inner ends, as at 23 to the flanges 15. The inner ends of the elements 18, 19 are arranged upon the carriers 9 outwardly of and adjacent to members 10, 11 respectively.

Secured to the inner face of element 18 between the side parts of the rim 21 thereof is a strip 24 carrying a series of removable matches 25 which are used to light the cigarettes 6. When element 18 is shifted outwardly to open compartment 4 the igniting surface 12 is arranged to provide for one to conveniently use it to ignite a removed match 25. When element 18 is swung to the position shown in Figure 1, igniting surface 13 is concealed. Element 18 when open is maintained in angular relation with respect to body part 2 by its inner end abutting carrier 9. Secured to the inner face of element 19 between the side parts of rim 21 thereof is a strip 26 carrying a series of removable matches 27 which can be used to light the cigarettes 7. After the compartment 4 has been freed of cigarettes and element 18 is in closed position and if it be desired to have access to compartment 15 element 19 is swung outwardly. Element 19 is maintained in angular relation with respect to body part 2 by its inner end abutting carrier 9. When element 19 is swung outwardly the igniting surface 13 is arranged to provide for one to conveniently use it to ignite a removed match 27. When element 19 is swung outwardly it conceals igniting surface 12.

The carrier 9, as well as elements 18, 19 may if desired be provided with suitable advertising matter. The body part 2, carrier 9 and elements l8, 19 are preferably constructed of sheet metal of the desired gauge, but it is to be understood that the container may be set up of any suitable material.

What I claim is:

1. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected to said carrier and providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments.

2. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected to said carrier and providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, said elements when in closed positions having means for overlapping the ends and sides of said body part.

3. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected to said carrier and providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, and said elements having their inner ends coacting with the outer face of said carrier for maintaining them, when in open position in angular relation with respect to said body part.

4. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected to said carrier and providing hinged selectivelv shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, said carrier being formed with flanges opposing the sides of said body part, and said elements being formed with rims provided with extensions pivoted to said flanges.

5. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected to said carrier and providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, said elements having their inner ends coacting with the outer face of said carrier for maintaining them, when in open position in angular relation with respect to said body part, said carrier being formed with flanges opposing the sides of said body part, and said elements being formed with rims provided with extensions pivoted to said flanges.

6. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected with said body part and providing hinged selectively closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments.

'7. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected with said body part and'providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, said elements when in closed position having means for overlapping the ends and sides of said body part.

posed mat-ch carrying elements pivotally connected with said body part and providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, said body part including side and end walls, the latter being of less height than the former.

9. A cigarette container comprising a body part formed with a pair of open front storage compartments, a match igniting surface carrier anchored to said body part and permanently closing the inner portions of the fronts of said compartments, and a pair of oppositely disposed match carrying elements pivotally connected with said body part and providing hinged selectively shiftable closures for the remaining portions of the open fronts of said compartments, said elements when in closed position having means for overlapping the ends and sides of said body part, said body part including side and end walls, the latter being of less height than the former.

FRANK EDWARD MICKADEIT. 

